No summary available.
Pleased to receive letter from Smith. Smith's friend, Miss Colombine, situated in a worthy, respectable family, the Brigstockes; her misfortunes to be lamented. [Thomas] Johnes and [Mariamne] Johnes going on well. Smith must have heard much of 'Calx muriata' of Dr [Thomas] Beddoes [(1760-1808), chemist and physician]; he does not entirely subscribe to all he says of it.
Numbered observations on enclosed specimens: 1. 'Sisymbrium tibliori' [Smith annotation: "'Sisymbrium monense' laid in"]; 2. 'Crataegus' [Smith annotation: "'Crataegus oxycantha' laid in]; 3. a 'Lichen' [Smith annotation: "new, laid into deal cabinet"]; 4. 'Crataegus' found with no.2 [Smith annotation: "var[iet]y"]; 5. 'Lolium hybridum', believes nondescript, sent to [James] Dickson 1795 [Smith annotation: "'L. arvense'"]; 6. 'Carex' [Smith annotation: "may be new 'C. salina' Sw[artz]"]; 7. 'Aira' differs from 'aquatica', like 'Poa retroflexo' [Smith annotation: "var[iet]y'].
Recently saw 'Assium petrafilium'. Observations on 'Valeriana pyrenaica', found 1782 and 1804. Will send a new 'Galium' and other things soon.
Pleased Smith's series of lectures in Liverpool has been confirmed; details, including acquisition of a room over the Union Coffee House, offers to supply Smith with any botanical works or specimens required over the course of the lectures, having the works of [Nikolaus von] Jacquin and the principle "Floras", and advertising by himself and Taylor.
No summary available.
Received Smith's letters of 27 January and 11 April, pleased that the parcel sent to Smith has arrived. Fears that the new war will impede their literary intercourse [resumption of war between Britain and France]. Has sent Smith and Sir Joseph Banks copies of Acharius' "Methodus lichenum". Congratulates Smith on acquisition of [Edmund] Davall's herbarium, will take up offer to send items from it, in particular Regnier's 'Polytrichum pulverulentum', and the roses.
Discussion of roses: thanks for Smith's observations on his roses ['Rosa caesia', 'R. spinoissima n', 'R. multiflora', and 'R. arvensis'], agrees that his 'Rosa arvensis' may be a different species but distinct from his 'R. canina' and 'R. collina', believes this is Jacquin's. Currently cultivating 30 rose species, requests ripe fruit of the 'R. arvensis' in the autumn.
Observations on enclosed specimen of 'Malaxis monophyllos' [in Smith herbarium], when it is found with two leaves it is 'Ophrys latifolia'. Will endeavour to acquire some of [Georg] Wahlenberg's [(1780-1851)] Lapland discoveries for Smith, remarks that he is a superior traveller to any other who have visited "those remote regions". Asks Smith's opinion of [Antonio] Cavanilles arrangement of filices. Has received letter from Cavanilles in which he states that he has discovered the true seeds of ferns and mosses, which shall overthrow [Johann] Hedwig's theory of the sexes.
Asks Brodie to put a new cover on this letter and forward to Dr [James Edward] Smith; contains new 'Brassica' which may be 'Sisymbrium tillieri' of [Carl] Willdenow.
Arriving in Liverpool by the end of the week. Thanks Roscoe for his patronage and is happy for him and Taylor to advertise the lectures though anxious for the first one to be held by end of June.
No summary available.
A letter from Sir James Edward Smith, Norwich, [Norfolk], to Étienne Pierre Ventenat
Encloses specimens of a rare 'Galium' and two 'Sagina'; observations. Observations on 'Poa alpina', 'Lolium arvensis', and 'Eriophorum alpinum' [Smith has annotated in margins]. Thanks Smith for introduction to [Pierre Marie Auguste] Broussonet.
Separate note on specimen of 'Scirpus multicaulis' [specimen extant].